The official glanced around the courtyard, his expression serious as he spoke. "Your Highness, I bear a message of great importance from His Majesty Emperor Zhou Shengming."
He looked directly at Tianyi, then shifted his gaze around the area, as if ensuring no one could overhear. "It is news that must be kept strictly confidential."
Tianyi's expression shifted instantly, masking his calm demeanor with one of quiet attentiveness. He waved his hand gently, signaling for all servants and attendants present to step away and leave them in private.
Yet the official's eyes fell first on the three people standing closest—two attendants and Zhong Yi. He hesitated for a moment, then bowed respectfully.
"It is well," Tianyi said, his tone warm and reassuring as he gestured for them to remain. "These are my most trusted aides. Whatever you have to say may be spoken freely in their presence."
The official bowed once more, his posture formal and respectful. "I come to report that unusual activity has been observed around the residence of Minister Li. His Majesty has instructed that this matter shall be handled by his own authority."
That old fox—my father Zhou Shengming—still possesses a sharp mind even in his later years, Tianyi thought to himself with quiet appreciation. He has uncovered this situation faster than I expected.
Tianyi pressed a hand lightly to his forehead, a small smile touching his lips. "Please return to His Majesty with my thanks. Tell him I am deeply grateful for his concern and his support. And ask him to notify me immediately should any further messages or information require passing between us."
The official bowed again, then departed, his face still bearing a look of quiet confusion. The Crown Prince seems rather different from before, he mused. When he learned of plots that threatened his safety, he always acted swiftly and decisively, resolving matters at once. But now, when he knows an assassination plan is in motion, he simply allows the Emperor to handle it himself… How interesting. Has he truly grown independent enough to rely on others?
Tianyi exhaled softly, a weight lifting from his shoulders. That is a relief. Let the Emperor deal with this—I am not yet ready to take lives or bear such heavy burdens. I still need more time to adjust to this world and this way of living.
In the imperial palace, stacks of official memorials and reports filled the chambers, arranged neatly on wooden desks and shelves. This was a familiar routine for Emperor Zhou Shengming—endless documents to review, day after day. Occasionally, he would find moments of leisure, but more often than not, work consumed his time.
It had been four days since the Crown Prince had last come to collect his assigned tasks. The Emperor had always relied on his son to take on a share of the workload, and Tianyi had never failed to arrive promptly to receive new duties. But now… nothing. No visits, no requests, no signs of his presence.
"What can possibly be keeping that boy?" Zhou Shengming murmured in quiet frustration, tapping his fingers lightly on the edge of his desk. His brow furrowed slightly, and he leaned back against the carved armrest of his throne chair, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he waited.
Just then, a soft knock sounded at the door. When it opened, one of his most trusted officials stepped inside—Yun Nge, the man who had been tasked with delivering messages to the Crown Prince.
Yun Nge advanced slowly into the room. He stopped a few paces from the Emperor, then lowered his body deeply, performing the formal and respectful kowtow greeting customary for subjects addressing their sovereign. He pressed his forehead gently to the polished floor, his hands folded neatly before him, and spoke in a clear, reverent tone:
"Long live His Majesty! May the Emperor enjoy eternal prosperity and rule over a peaceful realm! I humbly return from the East Palace and bring tidings from the Crown Prince."
He rose slowly to stand straight, keeping his head bowed slightly out of respect, and waited patiently for the Emperor to speak.
The Emperor rested his chin on one hand, his gaze sharp as he looked at Yun Nge, and asked in a measured, curious tone:
"What does he say, hmm?" He shifted his position slightly, leaning forward a little with his elbow resting on the armrest, and his eyes held a mix of interest and observation as he waited for the reply.
Yun Nge bowed once more, his expression solemn and sincere.
"Your Majesty," he began respectfully, "the Crown Prince sends his deepest gratitude. He says that he is greatly appreciative that Your Majesty has taken this heavy burden and obstacle off his shoulders. He feels much relieved knowing that Your Majesty will handle this matter properly. And he has instructed me to convey this: should Your Majesty require anything further from him, or if there are any other messages or affairs to be passed between us, he will attend to them immediately at Your Majesty's command."
The Emperor sat frozen for a moment, a look of genuine confusion spreading across his face. He leaned back, shaking his head slightly as he spoke aloud, half to himself and half to the official standing before him.
"That's all? He doesn't say anything anymore? What about his usual style of taking action immediately? What happened to that guy?"
He tapped a finger against his chin, his expression shifting from confusion to deep contemplation as he looked towards the doorway leading to the East Palace.
"This seems rather a drastic change in his personality and a complete shift in his manner of doing things… huh."
Yun Nge bowed low again, his voice steady and filled with conviction as he agreed.
"You are right, Your Majesty. He truly is changing—but it is a change for the better, and for the good of this entire empire."
The Emperor fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful look crossing his face before he spoke again, his tone turning firm and decisive.
"Really? If it truly is for the better then… send word to him. Tell him he is to come here immediately and review some of my workload. He has been away from his duties long enough."
"Understood, Your Majesty. I shall deliver the order at once," Yun Nge replied respectfully, bowing deeply once more.
As Yun Nge prepared to withdraw, Zhou Shengming huffed softly under his breath, a mix of amusement and annoyance in his tone as he glared playfully in the direction of the East Palace.
"Hmph! Even if you have changed, it certainly doesn't mean you can slack off, you ungrateful child of mine."